David McKeown / Staff Photographer
Mahanoy's Matt Lewandowski, left, is attended to by medical staff after getting hurt during his bouth against Bentworth's John Vargo in the 182 lbs 5th place bout during the PIAA Wrestling Championships finals at The Giant Center in Hershey on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

HERSHEY — Matt Lewandowski’s final high school match didn’t go the way he wanted.

Physically or on the scoreboard.

Mahanoy Area’s senior 182-pounder tried to continue after suffering an ankle injury but had to default at 2:33 to Bentworth’s John Vargo during their fifth-place match Saturday at the PIAA Class AA Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center.

This time, Vargo recorded a takedown, but Lewandowski posted two escapes for a 2-2 tie midway through the second period.

Then it happened.

“He came in on a shot, and I guess I came down and landed on my ankle. I felt a huge pop,’’ Lewandowski said. “I tried wrestling on it. I didn’t want to go out this way, but I couldn’t go any longer.’’

The injury happened with 38 seconds left in the second period. Lewandowski made his best effort to continue, but when Vargo grabbed that leg 11 seconds later, the Mahanoy grappler writhed in pain and had to default.

Walking with a heavy limp, Lewandowski still climbed the awards podium to accept his sixth-place medal. He became a two-time state placewinner, joining Joe Weidle and Jim Weidle as the only other two-time placers in school history, according to available records.

“It really feels awesome,’’ Lewandowski said. “... It really means a lot to get in the history books at our school. It means a lot to me because we’re in Pennsylvania, a very tough state to wrestle in. To be a two-time state medalist is really awesome.’’

Lewandowski finished the season 38-6 and went 125-36 in his career.

After graduation, he’ll attend Kutztown University where he will be part of the wrestling team and study sports management.

“My goal is to get better,’’ Lewandowski said. “I’ll be there 12 months a year wrestling, and that’s what I want to do.’’

Nothing came easily this postseason for Garber, either. Third at districts, fourth at regionals aren’t finishes he’s used to.

Garber, though, kept working and recaptured some of his best wrestling during states. He battled from the preliminaries to elimination bouts in the consolations, going 4-3 to collect his third state medal. Garber placed fifth at 113 as a freshman and fourth at 120 as a sophomore.

Garber said he knows there’s a page in the state program that lists all of the wrestlers who have placed four times at the PIAA Championships.

“I want to be on that list, definitely,’’ Garber said. “It’s one of my goals.’’

In their fifth-place match, Burkhart converted one double-leg shot for a one-point decision. Garber carried most of the action and was in deep on Burkhart’s leg when time ran out in the first period. In the third period, Burkhart was called twice for stalling but held on for the win.

Garber finished the season 47-6 and raised his career record to 129-15.

“I thought I wrestled OK, but I know I didn’t wrestle to the best of my ability,’’ Garber said. “I know I could have done way better, third at least, but it wasn’t my day to wrestle. So come back next year stronger, be on top of the podium.’’

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